§ 29. Sir R. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the unsatisfactory position arising from increasing abuse under Section 5 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952; and whether he will introduce amending legislation.
§ Mr. CarlisleMy right hon. Friend is aware of the recent devlopments to which my hon. Friend refers, and he is considering the problems that they raise.
§ Sir R. ThompsonIs my hon. Friend aware that in my constituency a cinema is perfectly legally under the existing law screening shows and making publicity of a character utterly revolting and obnoxious to thousands of my constituents—
§ Mr. William HamiltonHow do you know?
§ Sir R. ThompsonIs my hon. Friend further aware that when Parliament framed this legislation it did not intend this kind of use to be made of Section 5? Will he expedite his arrangements for getting us out of this tangle?
§ Mr. CarlisleI am aware that a club has recently been opened in my hon. Friend's division of Croydon, South. On the general principle, it is a question of striking a balance between the necessary interests of minority groups, which were intended to be covered by Section 5, and, on the other hand, the protection of the public from the type of influence to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsWill the hon. Gentleman concern himself more with the enforcement of fire regulations in club cinemas, because it is that type of flame which is much more his concern than the type of flame which is in the mind of the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Sir R. Thompson)?
§ Mr. CarlisleI do not think that arises out of the Question, but I understand from my hon. Friend that that is covered by the Fire Precautions Bill which is due to have its Second Reading next week.